I have been working with scars for a time now, having first been introduced to its usefulness by my New York teacher of Constitutional Facial Acupuncture, Mary Elizabeth Wakefield.

Scars are the body’s healing mechanism. They may be created because of accidents, surgery, disease, severe sunburn, self-inflicted, or, of unknown etiology.

From a Traditional Oriental Medicine perspective, there is an interruption in the free flow of Qi in the superficial fascia under a meridian. At some point later, that scarred area may begin to ache because of insufficient blood flow.

Acupuncture works very well to help heal a scarred area. Threading under a scar area breaks up adhesions, or, that pulling effect on the deeper, surrounding tissues, which can even affect digestion, circulation, and respiration. Acupuncture also lessens hyperpigmentation (liver spots) by promoting Qi and blood circulation to an area, (from my teacher Kiiko Matsumoto). Sometimes we use a technique called “surrounding the dragon”, by placing several needles facing the scar in a circle towards each other to stimulate blood flow through it.

Scars also have cellular memory, and as a result have a prolonged effect on the body, even though the original injury appears healed. Often the memory of the original trauma associated with it, comes forward, allowing an emotional release to take place.

Many modalities may be useful in restoring the interrupted balance in the system. Systems like Myofascial release, microcurrent stimulation, and cupping, as well as external products like Vitamin E, Tamanu oil, Helichrysum oil, homeopathics and Nattinokinese (for internal scarring), may be useful.